Box, small chest, case, and similar article



Dec. 21 1926.

R. STRAUSS SMALL- CHEST,

BOX, CASE, AND SIMILAR ARTICLE Filed June 5, 1926 Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES r 1,611,494 PATENT OFFICE.

RAPHAEL STRAUSS, or PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR 'ro SOCIETE ANONYME DITE: ETABLISSEMENTS s'rRAUss-ALLARn-mEYER, Pants, FRANCE, A CORPORATION OF FRANCE.

BOX, SMALL CHEST, CASE. AND SIMILAR ARTICLE.

Application filed June 5, 1926, Serial No. 113,946, and in France July 11, 1925.

The present invention relates to improvements in boxes, small chests, cases and similar articles and more particularly to boxes of small dimensions such as those manu- 6 factured for gold and silver articles, jewelry and fancy goods.

This improvement consists of a closing device which does not require the use of any projecting part or member visible on the outside of the box, so that the whole exterior of the box will be free from any roughness or projecting portions due to the presence of hinges, locks. press-buttons, hooks and so forth. Moreover, this closing device is such that, without the useof a lock, button, hook, hinge or other means visible on the outside, the lid is secured effectively to the body of the box and is not liable to be opened accidentally.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view of the box, in accordance with the invention, closed and open positions respectively.

Figures 3 and 4 are cross sections, the internal double wall being omitted so as to show the blade spring device. In Figure 3 the box is shown closed, and in Figure 4 the box is shown in a position ready for opening the lid having been moved horizontally.

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the box completely open.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a hinge forming part of the internal mechanism of the box, and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section along the line VIIVII. of Figure 3.

The box consists of the body 1 and lid 2 juxtaposed on the plane Y. The lid 2 is connected by one of its sides to the body 1, by means of a particular device forming the subject of the invention.

15 This device consists of an angle member 1 4 and bars 3' and 6, these three members being connected together by means of two hinges 3 and 5. The hinge 3 is kept in position by cotters or by any other suit- 50 able means. The hinge'5 is fitted with a blade spring secured in the male-hinge eyes. This hinge spring. which is of the usual construction, is not shown in the drawing.

At each end of the angle member 4 is provided a notch through which can pass the heads of. screws for securing the bar 6 to lugs 8.

The bar 3' is fixed to the inner side of the lid 2 and the bar is arranged parallel to the side 1' of the body 1 in the manner hereinafter described.

It will be seen that the angle member 4 has a sharp corner but it will be understood that this shape may be modified, for example the corner may be rounded 011'.

Inside the ends of the body of the box are provided two blade springs which are held in position by guides 10 soldered to strips 11 secured to the body of the box, parallel. with the ends and covering the springs 9 by screws 11.

The blade springs 9 of suitable dimen sions for operation have their ends engaged in small sockets 7 secured to the bar 6, and are bent in such a manner behind his so as to form the lugs 8 which bear against the side 1' of the box. The bar 6 can thus move longitudinally parallel with the side 1 to the extent allowed by the sliding movement of the lugs 8 on the side 1'.

The body 1 and the lid 2, arranged in juxtaposition on the plane Y--Y have edges of sufficient thickness to permit of a slight sliding movement of the lid 2 relatively to the body 1 as hereinafter described.

The inwardly bent edge 2" of the lid 2 is adapted to engage with a projection 1" soldered to the inside rim of the box body 1. in such a way as to project from the latter.

The device is completed by a pair of channel members 12 soldered to the rear of the box-lid and so arranged as to be hidden hy the angle-member 4. These members 12 have the dual purpose of preventing the box from being opened at the rear and of preventing the lid from becoming jambed on the box at the beginning of the opening movement.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the box is closed, as shown in Figure 3, the lid is held in position by the separate parts and the following actions 1. By the projection 1" at the front.

2. By the two members 12 which, in this position, engage with the inturned edge at the rear of the box.

3. By the combined action of the two springs 9 which tend to raise the cover by acting on the lugs 8 secured to the bar 6 on the angle-member 4, which in turn is secured to the lid by means of the bar 3'.

4;. By the action of the spring forming part of the hinge 5 and which ten'ds to move the lid rearwardly.

In order to open the box, the lid 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow X (which is the only direction possible) and thus slides a short distance in the plane Y--Y as into the position shown in Figure l. The lid is then raised, a small amount of resistance being met with until it has been moved into a position where it forms an angle of about with the body of the box. \Vhen this position has been passed, the. lid completes the remainder of its movement automatically under the action of the springs 9 which then retain it in the open position in which it forms an angle of 90 with the body of the box 1 (Figure 5).

To close the box the lid is pushed back over on the body 1.

During the beginning of this movement, the action of the springs 9 has to be overcome. lVhen the lid has passed the position of 45 in relation to the body, the lid continues its movement automatically into the horizontal position. Slight pressure applied to the lid will cause its inturned edge to engage under the projection 1" whilst the spring of the hinge will return the lid to the rear of the box automatically.

It will thus be seen that this device enables a box or case to be constructed which is capable of being opened or closed without any member projecting or being visible on the outside The closing is effected in such a manner that the lid cannot open accidentally whilst the method of opening provides relative secrecy as regards the opening means.

It will be understood that the separate parts of the mechanism described above may be modified in detail without departing from the general arrangement and method of functioning above described.

"What I claim is 1- 1. A case of the character described comprising, in combination, a box-body, a lid arranged in juxtaposition with the said body, a connecting device between these two elements, this device consisting of an angle member, a hinge connecting said angle memher to the lid, and a spring hinge connecting said member to a bar capable of moving backwards and forwards parallel to one of the sides of the box, such backward and forward movement being such as to ensure opening and closing of the box.

2. A case of the character described comprising, in combination, a box-body, a lid arranged in juxtaposition with the said body, said box and lid having co-operating edges of sufficient thickness to permit of rel ative sliding movement between the lid and the box-body, a closing device located with.- in the box and consisting of an angle-member, a hinge connecting the angle member to the lid, and a spring-hinge connecting the angle member to a bar capable of moving parallel to one of the sides of the box.

3. A case of the character described comprising, in combination, a box-body, a lid arranged in juxtaposition with said boxbody, each of these elements being provided with co-operating edges sufiiciently thick to enable the lid to slide relatively to the box-body, a closing device located within the box and consisting of an angle member, a hinge connecting the angle member to the lid and a spring-hinge connecting the angle member to a bar capable of moving parallel to one of the sides of the box, spring-blades,

strips, covering said spring blades and arranged parallel to the ends of the box, guides secured to the strips and holding the blades in osition at one end, sockets secured to t e small bar and receiving the other ends of the blades which behind the said small bar are folded so as to form lugs bearing against the rear side of the box.

4;. A case of the character described comprising, in combination, a box-body, a lid arranged in juxtaposition with said boxbody, the lid having an edge which is turned inwardly, a projection soldered to the front portion of the box rim, and'adapted to be engaged by the inturned edge of the lid, a closing device located within the inside of thebox, the exterior surface of said box be ing smooth and not having any roughness or projection or any device for closing visible from the outside.

5. A case of the character described comprising, in combination, a box-body, a lid arranged in juxtaposition with the boxbody, each of the two elements being provided with edges sufiiciently thick to allow the lid to slide relatively to the box-body, a closing device located within the box and consistingl of an angle-member, a hinge connecting t e angle member to the lid, and a spring-hinge connecting the angle member to a bar capable of moving parallel to one of the box-sides, channel members soldered to the rear of the lid and hidden by the angle-piece, said channel members preventing opening of the box from the rear and jambing of the cover on the box at the beginning of the opening movement.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RAPHAEL STRAUSS. 

